When you gather a group of people together the one thing you want to do is have fun. After all, you are gathered on this occasion to celebrate one of life’s biggest events. In a traditional modern wedding, the reception usually involves music and dancing. Some receptions involve activities to entertain guests as well. If you are looking for inexpensive ways to entertain your guests and ensure that everyone has a good time, here are a few you might consider.
Music
If your brother has a band and is looking for gigs, by all means, invite him to perform at your wedding. Beyond that, do you really need live musicians? It’s a nice idea, but aside from paying them, they are still just one more thing to coordinate. The more humans, vendors, etc. you have involved, the more opportunities you have for something to go wrong.
The same goes for a DJ. Sure, you could hire one. He may even be a great DJ. But, what can a DJ do that modern technology can’t? The wedding couple can get together, build a playlist and load it onto a phone or an iPod. They can then hook it up to a set of speakers for the reception and assign a member of their inner circle to keep an eye on it during the reception in the event that some sort of intervention is required.
Fun and Games
If you are not inclined to dance or if you think that some of your guests may be less inclined to do so, you can arrange other ways to entertain guests.
Board Games- Rather than assigned seating, set up a different board game at each table and allow guests to migrate to whichever table looks the most interesting to them. This is also a great way for guests from the bride’s and groom’s side to mingle and get to know each other. Everybody has board games at home. It is likely that between you, thrift stores and garage sales you should be able to acquire enough games you will not have to buy any new.
Card Games- Along the same lines as board games, only, perhaps with more of a casino feel. You can set up blackjack, poker or even something as innocent as old maid, go fish or bridge. This can even be done in conjunction with board games. Best of all, you should be able to find packs of playing cards at your local dollar store.
Lawn Games- If you are planning on an outdoor wedding, lawn games may be what you are looking for to entertain guests. You can play something as sophisticated as bocce ball or croquet. You might even have a rousing game of corn hole or horseshoes. Generally speaking, you may want things that are active but not too physically strenuous. You do not want to increase the likelihood of anyone ruining their best clothes or rented suits.
Oversized games- Games like Jenga, checkers and even Connect Four and Sorry are amazingly easy to find in much larger forms. They are also great for indoor or outdoor gatherings.
Ice Breakers- There are a lot of ways to break the ice with individuals among differing clans. Have a map and tags with each guest’s name. Let guests pin their tag on the map indicating where they are from. Have “bingo” cards with a special fact about each guest. Guests must get each square initialed by the person referenced in the square. Create mad libs specific to the wedding, have a wheel of activities for people to spin. Activities may include, “show us your dance moves,” “kiss your date,” or “tell us a story about the bride/groom.” The list of possible games is endless. An internet search should yield all the suggestions you could want.
Bonfire- Even if you are outside, not every venue will be open to this and some may require you to get a permit, so ask permission before you light any fires. That being said, bonfire has a way of drawing a crowd-- even more so if you offer guests the opportunity to make hotdogs or s’mores.
Entertainment does not have to be expensive. As long as it gives guests the chance to mingle, relax and have fun, your goal has been achieved. At the end of the evening, that is all that people will really remember.
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